Andorra



The Principality of Andorra, alternatively known as the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, is a microstate located in the eastern Pyrenees on the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. The nation is a diarchy that is headed by two princes: the Bishop of Urgell and the President of the French Republic. The country shares borders with two other countries: France to the north and Spain to the south. Andorra's capital and largest city is Andorra la Vella, which is also highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 meters above sea level. The country's official language is Catalan and its state religion is Catholicism. The nation's population is estimated to be 76,771 people with 48.8% of them being native Andorrans, 25,1% being Spanish, 12% being Portuguese, 4.4% being French, and 9.7% others. It uses the euro as its official currency despite not being a member of the European Union.

Andorra was created as part of the Hispanic Marches, buffer states that were created by Charlemagne to prevent the Moors from advancing into France. Charles the Bald, Charlemagne's grandson, made the Count of Urgell the ruler of Andorra and a descendant of the count later granted the lands to the Diocese of Urgell. In 1278, a conflict over the rule of Andorra was resolved when a pearage was signed between the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix, granting both of them rule over Andorra as co-princes. Andorra's borders have remained unchanged since 1278. The Crown of Aragon briefly annexed Andorra twice: once in 1396, and another time in 1512. In 1505, Andorra was brought under Spanish rule when Germaine of Foix married King Fernando II of Aragon. King Carlos I granted the lordship of Andorra to the Foix line in perpetuity. The co-rule of Andorra shifted from the Count of Foix to the King of France when the Count of Foix ascended to the French throne as King Henry IV of France. During the time of the French Revolution in 1793, the revolutionary government renounced their rule of Andorra due to the government's disdain of feudalism, despite the thoughts of the Andorrans who wanted to remain under co-French rule to avoid complete Spanish influence. After a petition by the Andorran people, Napoleon restored the co-principality in 1806. In 1934, a Russian adventurer names Boris Skossyreff proclaimed himself as King Boris I of Andorra in Urgell and declared war on both France and Spain. He was arrested by Spanish authorities and expelled from Spain. A French garrison was stationed in Andorra from 1936 to 1940 to prevent influence from Francisco Franco and his military dictatorship. Andorra was neutral during World War II but was used as a smuggling route from Spain to France. Andorra became a parliamentary democracy in 1993 when a new constitution was approved.